Participants

Information Regarding COVID Precautions:

 

Infection Control Guidelines for Participants (updated 6/14/20)

  • If you have any possible COVID-19 signs or symptoms develop prior to your scheduled research visit, do not come to the research visit. Instead, call your Research Coordinator as well as the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center (SBNC) at 412-246-6421.  Please click here to review the Screening Checklist and additional information
  • If, within the past 14 days, you have had close contact with anyone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 illness, or if you have traveled internationally or from an area of the US that remains under stay-at-home orders, do not come to the research visit. Instead, call your Research Coordinator.
  • Do not bring visitors with you to Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center unless essential for physical or emotional support. All visitor requests must be approved by your Research Coordinator. In addition, all support visitors must complete the same screening procedures, and adhere to the same safety guidelines (such as wearing a mask; not experiencing any symptoms of illness), as research participants.
  • Do not bring unnecessary belongings to your visit to the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center. Pillows and blankets brought from home are no longer permitted.
  • Upon arrival at the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center, another screening, including temperature assessment, will be performed. If you do not have a mask, one will be given to you. You must wear the mask, covering your nose and mouth, at all times while in UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital unless directed otherwise by hospital or research staff. Screening questions will be asked again upon arrival within the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center.
  • You will be asked to wash / sanitize hands prior to and during your research visit.
  • You must maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet from other people during your visit unless otherwise directed by hospital or research staff.

 

Measures Being Taken for Your Protection

  • Hospital and research staff will appropriately clean any equipment or furniture you may contact within the Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center.
  • Appropriate signage and spacing instructions will be present throughout the Sleep and Behavioral Research Center to help guide you.
  • All staff and participants undergo to the same screening, to ensure no one who is experiencing any illness comes to our research center.
  • Masks are required to be worn by both staff and participants when more than 1 person is in a room together.
  • We do not conduct any studies of people who are known to have COVID-19. Further, we collect information on all individuals (staff and visitors) in the event that someone develops symptoms after having been in our center, to allow us to conduct contact tracing.
  • Our plans have been reviewed and approved by the University of Pittsburgh. We will review and update our policies as needed.
  • Please call your study team if you have any questions or the lab administrator at 412-246-6407 if you have any additional questions.

 

New video walk-through for participants & researchers!  Please click the link below to see our facilities from the comfort of your home:

Virtual Sleep Lab Tour

 


Before arriving:

  • LIMIT CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL.  Since caffeine and alcohol affect sleep patterns in important ways, please refrain from the significant use of caffeine and alcohol during your sleep study.  You are encouraged to maintain your regular routine with regard to these substances.
  • Do not use hair spray, hair gel or any hair-care products before coming to the center.  These products will impede the electrodes.

 

What to bring:

  • Comfortable nightclothes, a robe, and slippers (avoid wearing silk, satin or polar fleece pajamas due to static build up which can create signal interference).
  • Shampoo, toiletries, soap and towels are provided.
  • A refrigerator is provided for your use, but remember this is a sleep study, so only decaffeinated drinks, please.
  • If you prefer your own pillow or blanket (avoid silk, satin or polar fleece), bring it along!
  • If you normally read before going to bed, feel free to bring along your reading material to the center. Cable TV and a computer with internet access are available in the lounge area as well as in your room.

Click Here for Directions to the Sleep Center


 

What will happen?

The sleep technicians will prepare you for the sleep study by affixing small disc-shaped electrodes to your head, face, and legs.  The electrodes are attached using tape, Elefix paste, and gauze pads. In some cases on your first night, you will also wear a few additional devices (e.g., a soft, flexible chest strap and a pulse oximeter on your finger) to measure your breathing during sleep.  These additional devices are used to test for possible physical problems during your sleep, like sleep apnea.

 

What to know before your wire-up:

  • Make-up, lotions, and moisturizers should be removed before wire up.
  • Avoid wearing acrylic nails or using nail polish, as this interferes with the acquisition of oxygen saturation levels.
  • Electronic devices will need to be powered down at your bedtime.  Watches should also be removed at bedtime to prevent the possibility of signal issues.

 

Finding a Sleep Study to Apply For:

Some of our studies can be found at the Pitt+Me website


 

Informational Video on the SBNC: